U.S. Representative Kendrick B. Meek Welcomes Former Foster Youth from Florida to Washington, DC

Jacksonville Resident Tyler Bacon Testified Before Congress on Children Who “Age Out” of the Foster Care System

 

Washington, DC – Tyler Bacon, a former Florida foster youth from Jacksonville, Florida, testified before Congress on Thursday, July 12 at a hearing on children who have "aged out" of the foster care system.

Tyler Bacon, 22, was introduced to the Congressional Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support by U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL), the lone Floridian to serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means.

"At age 18, Tyler Bacon should have celebrated an important birthday in a young man's life with family and friends. Instead, he aged out of the foster care system and became an abandoned homeless youth with no health insurance," Meek said. "Tyler Bacon is a role model for people who have faced great adversity, and overcome serious obstacles to achieve tremendous success in life."

Tyler Bacon now serves as a Board Member of the National Independent Living Association and is a member of the National Foster Youth Advisory Board. He was selected to serve as a FosterClub All-Star in 2005.

Tyler first entered Florida’s foster care system at age 13. He grew up in group homes that housed 20 to 60 young men, and at age 18 had “aged out” of the foster care system.

"I was never given the opportunity to enter a Foster Home or build a relationship with a mom or dad. I never had anyone to talk to or go to for my problems; no one who cared when I had an issue. The good news is that after a year of homelessness, I was finally able to save enough money to rent my own one-bedroom apartment," Bacon told Committee Members. "I am now employed as a full-time manager with Blockbuster Video and am excited that I once again am able to spend some of my time advocating for improvements of the foster care system."

Bacon urged the Committee to extend foster care and health coverage until age 21, asking the elected officials "to provide the safety net a family provides" for youth in the foster care system.

According to information provided by the Ways and Means Committee, eligibility for federal foster care assistance generally ends at age 18, although some states extend this limit with their own funds. The number of children who "age out" of the foster care system has increased from 19,000 in 2001 to over 24,000 in 2005.

Studies indicate that youth who have “aged out” of foster care are at a significant disadvantage relative to their counterparts in the general population related to employment, education, homelessness, mental health, medical insurance coverage, involvement with the criminal justice system, early pregnancy and poverty.

Research suggests that one in seven youth suffer from homelessness after they are discharged from foster care and over half lack health coverage.

Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) and Tyler Bacon of Jacksonville, Florida (right) meet before a Congressional hearing on Children Who "Age Out" of the Foster Care System

Congressman Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District, which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. He serves as the lone Floridian on the House Committee on Ways and Means, and also serves on the House Armed Services Committee.

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